How to Salvage Wood from Shipping Pallets
Pallet upcycling is all the rage today. But, if you’ve ever tried to actually remove wood planks from a pallet, you know that it is not an easy task. The nails that are used are typically spiral nails and are designed to really grip that wood. And if that’s not enough, they usually shoot 4-5 nails per joint. Sheesh, you’d think they were building a foundation for a 10 ton elephant. Okay, actually it is the foundation that has to hold tons of product as it is lifted by a fork lift. Which explains why harvesting pallet wood can be a labor intensive task.
I figured you’d appreciate it if I shared with you the quickest and easiest way I’ve found to salvage this beautifully rustic pallet wood.
Materials:
- Circular Saw (or jig saw)
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Dremel Multi-Max (or hacksaw)
- Dremel Multi-Max metal/wood cutting blade
Instructions:
Lay the pallet on a flat surface.
Set your circular saw depth to about 1/4″ beyond the pallet wood.
Saw through the pallet board close to the joint. However, make sure that you are far enough away from any nails. (It is a good idea to look underneath before you begin to cut.)
Cut along the opposite side of the board where it meets the other side board. You should have two cuts now, but the board is still nailed in the middle.
This is a good time to break out the Dremel Multi-Max. (Side note: Dremel sent this tool for me to try — and I have to say — it was a huge help for cutting through all those excess pallet nails. I really liked the tool and it fit nice in my (small female) hand. I haven’t tried any of the other attachments yet, but will be using it to cut the baseboard trim in the bonus room soon.)
The Dremel Multi-Max comes with a few attachments, but you can buy other attachments as needed. Check out the Dremel accessory finder to figure out which bit or blade you need for your specific project.
To install the cutting blade, remove the collet nut on the Multi-max with an allen wrench (1). Loosen the nut until you can slip the wood & metal blade underneath.Line the pins up with the holes in the blade (2). Tighten the collet nut on the Multi-Max.
Insert the Multi-max blade flush with the bottom of the pallet wood. Let the blade saw through the nails. Don’t force or rock the Multi-Max.  (I was able to cut through the outer nails, but couldn’t reach the inner ones.)
Hammer a pry bar under the edge of the loosened board. Pry up the edge a little.
Slip a hammer underneath the pried up side and slide the crow bar into the opposite side of the board. Gently rock the hammer and crow bar outward to lift the board free.
To remove nails still in the pallet board, turn the board upside down (1). Hammer the nail through the board (2). Flip the board right side up and use the claw on the hammer to pry up the nail (3).
After a few hours I had amassed quite a collection of pallet boards and scrap wood from the shop. I used ALL of it in this project.
Stay tuned!
Read more tips on harvesting  pallet wood on Instructables.
Disclosure: Dremel sent me the Multi-Max to try out in a product review. I was not compensated to write this post, nor was I told what to write or how to use the tool. All opinions and instructions are my own.
I follow you on FB! so excited for this giveaway!
I am a Pinterest follower!
I would so love a Dremel! They have so many uses, I would use it to have handy so I don’t have to run to the garage every time I need to cut a little extra off, say like a piece of trim or what not. Also would love to have one to help with removing old paint, instead of using a wire hand brush. We need to repaint and scrape our exterior trim next summer!
I just bought a Dremel Multimax tool this morning! That would be funny if I won another! I bookmarked your site. It looks awesome!
Also I already follow you on Facebook and now Pinterest as well. Thanks for all your help! I want to follow a lamp tutorial and needed to know how to soulder metal!! You are for about the tenth time, right on time with information i need. i feel like you can read all our minds to know just what we need to learn how to do!
I watched two videos on the Dremel Max site. I have tiles to replace that have been damaged. I also have some Closet Maid rcks, etc. for my closet that need shortening and customizing. This tool would be great for all that. My handman has one and I’ve been envious of what he can do with his his and I’ve thought many times that I needed one. I followed you on Pinterest and I love your blog so much. I look forward to seeing your posts. You are very talented and such a wonderfully nice person!
I found you on Pinterest and started following you on Pinterest and just subscribed to your blog. I haven’t looked through all your post yet but the ones that I have went through I have loved. I like the aging techniques. It is people like you who inspire me to get out of my comfort zone and to try something new. Thank you so much!!!!
I already follow you on pinterest and LOVE your tool tutorials! A whole new world of possibilities has opened up for me and a fantastic added bonus is that I’m sharing what I learn with my 20 year old daughter. Now she won’t have to wait until she’s in her fifties to feel empowered. Every time we try (and accomplish!) A new task we high five each other and say, “girl power”! We’re having a blast. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such detailed tutorials. There are so many tools we’d like to try but the dremel multi max will be like getting several tools in one, yee-haw!
Hello Brittany,
Just viewed your curated collection on Joss & Main…absolutely wonderful. Congratulations! I follow you on Pinterest and I have the Pretty Handy Girl tab pinned in Google Chrome. I would love the Dremel Multi-Max tool for the many DIY projects happening in our 1850s home.
Wow, I’ve been thinking all week “I need a dremel. It would make my life sooooo much easier!” I’m putting up a ceiling in my kitchen, one board at a time. I need an easy way to trim the ends to fit around the joist hangers that keep getting in my way.
My late husband had all kind of BIG TOOLS that he used around the house. Now I find myself needing
so many little jobs done that I can’t manage. The Dremel Multi-Max sounds like the exact thing I need to do the jobs myself. The pesky floor vents that don’t fit would be one of my first projects.
I love your site. By reading your blog daily and saving each one, I have learned to do many jobs.
This has helped my pocketbook and my self- esteem. Thanks so much for all your help.
Oh my gawd! i need this saw! I have some crazy irrational fear of large scale saws! and every time i try to imagine wielding a saw i have the worst halloweeny horror images pop up in my mind! This little dremel seems like i could manage it with out it escaping from my grasp and running over my fingers! thanks for the info…i wouldnt have looked to dremel for a saw! hooray!
I follow you on facebook 🙂
I am following you on pinterest 🙂
This is an awesome giveaway from an awesome blogger! Thanks for hosting. 😉